Sherry Sim, SRES, E-Pro Covering the Beautiful Central Coast CA

The 2008 results are in. Overall; majority of the schools showed improvement in their API test scores when compared to a year ago. Most schools exceeded the 800 mark; which is considered high. Two schools, Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School and Teach Elementary API scores surpassed the 900 mark.

The Index and 'yearly progress reports' are based on information from the state's standardized testing and results of high school exit exams.

Out of the 82 schools, only 11 are in the ‘program improvement status'. These schools are required to offer more services such as tutoring, and teacher training. Subgroups are students classified by their ethnicity and disability, and whether English is their second language or whether students are socio-economically disadvantaged.

For more information, check the chart below for your child's or favorite school's score:-

I attended a very educational presentation on drywood termites and fumigation today. The presentation was given by a local pest inspector, Mark Maxwell from Key Termite Pest Control at our office meeting.

Unlike subterranean termites that live in the soil, drywood termites thrive in the wood. The drywood termites fester, starting small in size, like the tip of your "pinky" finger, for one whole year, before they begin any action. Between the second to fifth year, these drywood termites have festered enough to form colonies.

I am told that their different colonies are unlike us, the ActiveRainers. They certainly do not mix or network with each other. The colonies keep multiplying year after year, till we see what I have posted in "Wondered what termites do to wood?".

There are a number of treatment options. According to Mark, fumigation is popular today due to its cost and effectiveness. Another more expensive option is using heat. Older and less effective treatment methods include freezing ( which was dropped immediately when a worker reportedly died in the attic ), electricity, and directional microwaving. Another less toxic alternative is orange oil. (Interesting!) The effectiveness of orange oil is being challenged.

If your property needs fumigation, you may have a chance to look at the fumiscope that is used to measure the gas(es) that's pumped into the house/building. Leaks, up to 15-20% are common, so pest inspectors would take readings from different corners of the property to obtain a more accurate reading.

If you think you are bugged, you may need the help of a good pest inspector. For a good read, check out UC Davis Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.

or, join Mark, whose voice showed excitement when he found this -

Btw, Mark said among the invertebrate pests or bugs, spiders are the ones who could survive through fumigation.

If you have not seen an elephant seal up close, check out these majestic creatures at the

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery

located on California highway 1 at the southern end of Big Sur on the California coast, twelve miles north of Cambria and four miles north of the entrance to the Hearst Castle.

Close-Up View

Mom & Pup

He roars!

Great communicators!

According to the Friends of the Elephant Seal, elephant seals, Mirounga angustirostris, are true seals, or earless seals, members of the pinniped suborder. The huge blubbery males have pendulous noses that give these beasts their name. Females possess faces that seem to be etched with a permanent smile, and endearing plump babies are endowed with big brown eyes.

At our recent MLS meeting, our local termite company, Key Termite & Pest Control brought the following samples to show the different types of damage caused by termites and fungus.

I couldn't resist taking these photos to share with all.

Dampwood Termite

Powder Post Beetle

Fungus Damage

Subterranean Termite

Drywood Termite

Carpenter Bee

For information on termites and fungus damage, check out :-

1. The Pest Structural Control Board

2. Definition of termites.

Each time when I travel north out of my hometown of Cayucos on Highway One, towards Cambria, I would pass by this sign,

Population: 18 per 2000 Census. That must be the smallest town in our County ~ the San Luis Obispo County, CA. Harmony bears the zip code, "93435" and is situated off Highway One, a few miles south of Highway 46.

I told myself that I should visit the town. I heard about the fabulous blown glass and beautiful pottery. Since I have tasted the wine from Harmony Cellars, why not? In April this year, I read that the post office had been closed; the same post office that was open back in early 1800's. I felt sad for the post office and the townsfolk.

Sometime in August, Cal-Trans started working on the highway. Vehicular traffic would have to stop, as Highway One was just one lane in each direction. Last week, I had enough of the ‘move' and ‘stop', and decided to make that turn to explore little Harmony.

The afternoon was quiet. No one was around. Everything seems to stand still. The plaza is neglected. The street looks deserted.

Below, the Harmony Pottery Shop is one of the very few merchants that still operates today.

When you consider the number of buildings around, it's easy to spot the historic post office. It was housed in the Harmony Valley Creamery Association building.

The town was not always this quiet. History revealed that the town of Harmony was formed sometime back in 1869, by a group of Swiss settlers who established several dairies and a creamery. Rivalries among these settlers resulted in a shooting. That led the farmers to call a truce to live in harmony, which became the name of the town.

In addition to the creamery, Harmony Dairy, and post office, Harmony used to boast a general store, a livery, stable and a blacksmith, feed store, bunkhouses for employees, and a schoolhouse. There was even a gas station!

It was reported that William Randolf Hearst used to stop for fresh dairy products in Harmony. Harmony Dairy closed in 1950, due to rising grazing cost and when dairy business consolidated and moved to San Luis Obispo. The town was neglected till 1972, and restoration began, as younger generations wanted to explore rural living. The town prospered for a while when restaurants, arts and crafts boutiques were opened. Many of these businesses had since left. Today, the future of Harmony is uncertain.

If you are heading this way, be sure to stop by Harmony. You won't miss the sign.

Stop to watch Carl Radke blow glass and follow his creations. Visit Harmony Cellars over the hill and check out the different wines while you are there. Also, if you are looking for that special gift, visit Backroads Gallery.